11th August 2018 - Unusually... IT RAINED TODAY!!

Saturday 11th August - Tsehum Harbour on Vancouver Island - RAIN TODAY!!

I must thank Steve Illman, of RVYC, for taking me to Crest Fire Extinguishers on Wednesday to collect a hydro-tested dive tank, ready for filling with fresh air, and found they were donating three dry powder fire extinguishers, to replace the well-out-of-date Swedish ones that they couldn’t re-charge - a very kind gesture of support for my forthcoming trip around the globe (Very many thanks for that!!).

Of course, one

'minor'

detail for all three is

needing

to adapt their

holders to take the slightly larger new tanks - another item added to my already very long job list!

Next stop was Wilson's Dive shop in Esquimalt - where the owner kindly gave me a 

discount on the cost of a 'viz' (visual safety inspection) and an immediate air fill for my borrowed dive tank

.

  

While waiting for the tank to be ready, Steve drove me through the dense forest around the remains of the historic fort guarding the approaches to Esquimalt naval base, close to Victoria, down to a lovely view over Strait of Juan de Fuca and a long, grey, sandy beach beach jammed with old logs that have been washed up over the years - a typical B.C. scene!

On the way back from Esquimalt, I picked up the remainder of the dried milk and tinned chick peas that I needed to complete my long-term provisioning.  (I also treated myself to some canned apricots - thinking of Christmas and the New Year when I’ll want to celebrate

!!)

I’ve been busy listing everything on a (printable)

computer spreadsheet so I can see at a glance where I’ve stored each type of food item and also what each locker contains.  What a long time all that food organisation has taken… 

On the way back into Victoria, Steve realised that the new

lifting 'blue bridge' was signalling a lift about to start - a Seaspan barge and tow was waiting near the low bridge.... Sure enough, up it went, the barge passed through and then down it came - impressive!

It was good

to get away from the dock

two weeks ago

(making good use of tides each time) - to Tsehum

Hbr and Long Hbr (on Saltspring Island) and then a

nother

pleasant, sunny trip

both ways

to and from Friday Harbor.  It was great to meet up with friends on San Juan Island that I’ve not seen for a while!  

 

 

I was intending to work on fibre-glass backing plates for my big sheet winches over last weekend but was delighted when John Booth, well-known for being an expert when it comes to anything to do with boat construction, turned up at the dock in Long Hbr and offered to make them for me in aluminium.  I must now make a template of the area beneath the sheet winches - an awkward task, involving getting into confined spaces both in the cockpit locker and above the head-lining of a hanging locker.   I also need to check the length of the present bolts used in the winch bases, to see if I need to order slightly longer ones.

Had an enjoyable live radio interview on CFAX1070 on my return to Victoria last Monday - mostly to do with my food stores onboard.  It always intrigues people that I have to take so much food with me, with no stopping allowed at shops on the way!!.  

I’ve now come back to Tsehum Hbr - a peaceful place where I’ll be able to continue undisturbed with boat jobs over the next week.  I actually flew a full genoa for a short while, with a 10 knot following wind on the way here, which boosted our speed a little - but that didn’t last long - I effectively motored all the way, but in nice, bright sunshine.